Senator Erico Galeano to 'Not Resign for Now' After Sentence Upholding, Lawyer Says

Senator Erico Galeano, a member of the ruling Colorado Party, will not be stepping down from his Senate seat at this time, despite a recent appeals court upholding his conviction for money laundering and criminal association. His legal representative, Ricardo Estigarribia, stated that his client is following his lawyer's advice not to resign for the moment. This stance comes after a judicial decision confirmed a 13-year prison sentence against Galeano, a ruling that has significantly altered the political landscape surrounding him.

Historically, Galeano has benefited from the protection of his party's faction, Honor Colorado, within the Senate. Following his initial conviction, this bloc controversially granted him a leave of absence, shielding him from immediate repercussions. However, the recent confirmation of his sentence appears to have eroded that support. Prominent figures within Honor Colorado have now signaled that the party will back a motion to strip Galeano of his parliamentary immunity, a move that suggests his political career is hanging by a thread.

Estigarribia elaborated on the potential legal ramifications of both resignation and forced removal. He explained that if Galeano is expelled from Congress, the court's order for preventive detention would be automatically activated due to the loss of his congressional immunity. Conversely, if he were to be acquitted by the Supreme Court of Justice—the final judicial avenue for appeal—his seat could potentially be reinstated. The senator's legal team is navigating these complex scenarios, aiming to mitigate the consequences of the conviction while exploring all available legal recourse. The situation underscores the intense scrutiny and political maneuvering that often accompany high-profile legal cases involving elected officials in Paraguay.

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For my suggestion, he will not resign for the moment.